In June this year, temperatures in north India soared over 46 degrees and many states had to be put under yellow alert by IMD. India’s heat waves have become a year-round crisis, from seasonal inconvenience to a public health emergency. In 2024 alone, over 40,000 heat stroke cases were reported, with more than 700 deaths, many of which were among the 380 million workers in heat-exposed sectors like construction, agriculture, and manufacturing.Despite various Heat Action Plans (HAPs), systemic gaps and non-binding policies leave workers vulnerable. Urgent reforms and innovative solutions are needed to safeguard their health and livelihoods.The human and economic tollConstruction workers, in particular, suffer greatly, with 60% reporting heat-related symptoms such as dehydration and fainting during summer. In 2024, Delhi’s heatwave claimed the lives of 50 homeless individuals in three days, while over 3 thousand labourers in Rajasthan and Chennai also reported fainting from heat strokes during work. Beyond the human cost, the economic impact is severe. Studies show a 40% decline in productivity during peak heat, as workers struggle to cope with extreme conditions. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) estimates that India loses 34 million work days annually due to heat stress, further straining public health systems and eroding workers’ livelihoods.Strengthening government responseThe Ministry of Labour and Employment’s 2024 advisory for heatwave took a step in the right direction, recommending measures like shift rescheduling and cooling infrastructure. However, its implementation remains inconsistent.Making advisories actionable: Delhi’s and many other state directives to limit outdoor work between 12 PM and 4 PM remain unenforceable, leaving 61% of street vendors without basic cooling infrastructure. Cities like Ahmedabad (Reduced heat deaths), Jodhpur (compensation model in heat action plan and tie up with local CSOs), and Thane (ward level heat mapping and financial resources allocation) show that strong local partnerships and coordination can make heat advisories truly actionable for vulnerable workersFunding for Heat Action Plans: Only 30% of HAPs have a dedicated funding strategy, making implementation difficult. A structured financial approach (Ex: dedicating 1% of annually collected BOCW cess for financing heat action plan) is necessary for effective heatwave response.Classify heat waves as “Notified Disasters”: As of April 2025, at least ten states – including Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Kerala, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh – have classified heatwaves as state-specific disasters, allowing access to State Disaster Response Fund resources for relief and compensation. However, heatwaves are still not recognized as a nationally notified disaster under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which prevents migrant workers from accessing the ₹1.2 lakh crore in national disaster relief fundsParametric insurance: A lifeline for workersA promising solution to mitigate the financial and health risks faced by workers is parametric insurance. This model, successfully implemented in Gujarat and Rajasthan, offers automatic payouts when temperatures exceed certain thresholds, such as 40°C for two consecutive days.Two prominent examples are: A. SEWA’s 2024 program covered 50,000 women workers and disbursed ₹2.92 crore to help them cope with income loss during heatwaves. B. ICICI Lombard’s scheme in Ahmedabad provided instant compensation to workers of Rs. 750 as temperature reached above 43.6 degrees, enabling them to take necessary breaks.Parametric insurance, with premiums as low as Rs. 250 (Paid from DMRF or BOCW state cess funds), offers quick financial relief, bypassing bureaucratic delays. Integrated with Aadhaar and UPI, it ensures efficient direct transfers to workers, eliminating intermediaries.Requirement of cultural shift and actionable stepsCultural shifts in work patterns require more than just financial solutions; they also demand systemic support through structural reforms. Rescheduling work to cooler hours, such as between 5 am and 10 am and 6 pm and 11 pm, could reduce heat exposure by up to 70%.However, the necessary infrastructure to support such changes is currently lacking. Key infrastructural needs include extending public transport services, particularly metro and bus operations, to accommodate night shifts in heatwave-prone areas. In addition, worksite lighting should be improved by providing government subsidies for energy-efficient, solar-powered lighting to ensure safer working conditions. To support workers during night shifts, incentivising 24/7 food distribution is crucial to ensure they are adequately fed. Establishing night-time creches or daycare facilities can help shift workers with young children manage their responsibilities.Moving toward actionable next steps, the government must transition from issuing advisories to implementing enforceable, rights-based frameworks. Key recommendations include classifying heat waves as natural disasters, which would unlock national disaster relief funds for cooling shelters and emergency healthcare.Additionally, it is essential to allocate heat wave budgets in Heat Action Plans (HAPs), ensuring that at least 2% of municipal budgets are directed toward infrastructure improvements, such as water ATMs and cool roofs. Enforcing occupational safety standards for heat stress, including mandatory shaded rest areas and hydration breaks, should be prioritised, with penalties for non-compliance. Expanding parametric insurance through public-private partnerships would also ensure informal workers are covered, leveraging platforms like PM-JAY.The way forwardAs India faces another potentially record-breaking summer in 2025, the response to heat waves must evolve. Heat waves are no longer just a seasonal issue – they are an existential threat to millions of workers’ health, productivity, and well-being. We can reduce human and economic costs by adopting practical solutions like parametric insurance, rescheduling work hours, and investing in infrastructure and policies that protect workers. Safeguarding workers from extreme heat is not just a matter of welfare – it’s essential for India’s journey toward middle-income status.Harshil Sharma, Ph.D. JNU, is a labour economist, and is with Indus Action, a civil society organization. Santosh Mehrotra, also a labour economist, was Prof of Econ, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi